Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-05

The Indictment found against Mr.. Jones for con-
ducting turf exchange or pOol-room, where books
are made on running races throughout the country,
seems to mark the concentration OF an effort to
close up all such institutions In Washington. Sew
eral years ago. when highly successful meeting
Of the Jockey Club had inspired large interest in
turf sports and given impetus to betting on the
results Of races, the Jones Bros. opened a pool
room In this city. For some time prior TO that no
betting had been permitted except at Ivy City dur.
Ing the race meetings When the Jockey Club
was established 1t became the custom to have
pool selling at the National Hotel on each
night prior to the races; but finally the District
authorities put stop 70 this and forbade all pool
selling except at the race course. This order was
acquiesced In for q time, it being generally &C.
cepted that the local authorities had lawful right
10 exercise the power they had used. After bet
ting had been restricted to the Ivy City course for
several meetings the Jones Brothers employed at
torneys TO make a careful examination Of the laws
governing racing and betting on racing results.
The result OF this examination was a formally
given opinion that the Maryland law in relation to
racing prevailed In the District, and that It did
was made and Judge Smell confirmed the opinion
given by the attorneys OF the Jones Broi hers The
a. put sp
The place was literally patronzed and In a
very short time others took advantage OF the
a share OF what promised to be a rich field. In
the course OF few months there were no less than
fve pool-rooms in fun blast here. The police kept
an eye upon the places, and made several Efforts
TO get o legal hitch upon them, but did not sue
ceed. At the first session OF the last Congress the
opponents OF betting appealed to the District
mitteeS for the passage OF act TO suppress turf
gambling. The House pa sed a BILL and IL went
10 the Senate where was referred 10 the District
committee. Senator Blackburn, or that commit
tee openly a1owed his hostility to the bill unless
the Jockey Club was exempted from its provisions
Efforts were made TO reach a compromise that
would exempt the Ivy City course but they failed.
Members OF Congress who were actively urging
recognized the validity OF the very evil they were
seeking 20 suppress. The bill was never reported
back from the Senate committee and so died with
the session OF Congress.
During the present season there have been five
turf pOol-rOJlEs In operation, three OF which, In
different localities are understood to belong to the
Jones' Brothers. That element OF the community
which actively fights such institutions VIII make
another appeal 70 Congress At the coming session
for the enactment OF law to rigidly prohibit bet
time some OF the most active hayef been endeavor-
ing to md In existing laws somH qens OF putting
them down. The decision Of JudSe Smell was not
satisfactory 20 the people who regard taff gam.
bling as an evil and By the existing indictment
they hope to obtain from a higher court 4
practical reversal OF the Police Court decision
The opponents OF turf gambling and pool
rooms seem to have increased In numbers,
even as the patrons Of these places seem TO have
increased. The opposition includes many promi-
iStence OF pool-rooms Is working great mischief;
that young men and older ones who are TOO weak
mentally and morally 10 resist evil are entlced by
the existence OF these places into gambling, and
that frequently the earnings that should go 10 the
support OF needy family reach the pockets OF
OF its object, the appeal to Congress will be made
with viyor and BY large numbers OF people.